A Reduced Model for Microbial Electrolysis Cells
Dina Aboelela1, Moustafa Aly Soliman2, Ibrahim Ashour3

1Dina Aboelela*, The British University in Egypt, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, El Shorouk City, Cairo, Egypt.
2Moustafa Aly Soliman, The British University in Egypt, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, El Shorouk City, Cairo, Egypt.
3Ibrahim Ashour, Minia University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Minia, Egypt.
Manuscript received on January 19, 2020. | Revised Manuscript received on January 28, 2020. | Manuscript published on February 10, 2020. | PP: 1724-1730 | Volume-9 Issue-4, February 2020. | Retrieval Number: D1613029420/2020©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.D1613.029420
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Abstract: Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are breakthrough technology of cheap hydrogen production with high efficiency. In this paper differential-algebraic equation (DAE) model of a MEC with an algebraic constraint on current was studied, simulated and validated by implementing the model on continuous-flow MECs. Then sensitivity analysis for the system was effectuated. Parameters which have the predominating influence on the current density and hydrogen production rate were defined. This sensitivity analysis was utilized in modeling and validation of the batch-cycle of MEC. After that parameters which have less influence on MEC were eliminated and simplified reduced model was obtained and validated. Finally, MEC energy productivity was maximized by optimization of operating conditions. 
Keywords: Hydrogen Production, Optimization, Sensitivity Analysis, Validation.
Scope of the Article: Cross-layer Optimization